New Delhi: The Samyukta Kisan Morcha (SKM), which led the 2020–21 protest against the now-repealed Union farm laws, has extended support to the ongoing Cockroach Janta Party (CJP)-led sit-in over alleged examination irregularities and announced that its delegation will join the agitation at Jantar Mantar on Sunday.
In a letter addressed to CJP president Abhijit Dipke, the SKM said it stood in "wholehearted solidarity" with the peaceful democratic protest and with the students, youth and their families participating in it.
The farmers' body said its delegation would visit the protest site at 11 am on Sunday in support of the protesting students and climate activist Sonam Wangchuk, who, along with several students, has been on an indefinite hunger strike demanding the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan.
The SKM also expressed its "deepest sympathies" to students and families affected by what it described as the Modi government's "chronic paper leaks and examination mismanagement".
"Every student has the right to a transparent, fair and credible system of education and examinations. Ensuring accountability in this regard is the responsibility of the government," the letter said.
The farmers' body said its National Council had adopted a resolution on June 17 supporting the student movement demanding Pradhan's resignation and opposing what it termed the "scam culture" in the education sector under the BJP-led NDA government.
It also noted that it had earlier condemned the ban on CJP's social media accounts.
"The students and the youth are also the children of farmers and the future of India. Samyukta Kisan Morcha firmly believes that the struggles of students and youth are the struggle of farmers," the letter said, adding that it was the moral responsibility of farmers and democratic organisations to stand with young people fighting for their education, future and justice.
The SKM said it hoped its delegation's visit would strengthen the democratic movement and compel the government to engage in meaningful dialogue and take "necessary actions beginning with the resignation of the Education Minister".
In a statement, the SKM also appealed to students, youth, farmers, workers and the public to join the protest at Jantar Mantar and support the demand for accountability from the government.
The SKM, a coalition of more than three dozen farmer organisations, mostly from Punjab, Haryana and Uttar Pradesh, led the year-long protest against the three Union farm laws in 2020–21. Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced the repeal of the laws in November 2021 following sustained protests.